Light equipped toolholder



Jan 10, 1950 J. P. WILLKAMS 9 1 LIGHT EQUIPPED TOOLHOLDER Filed April 19, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 1' Z I11 ueu tor J/m/ P401. M ILLIAMS ttorneys Jan. 10, 1950 v J. P. WILLIAMS 2,493,796

' LIGHT EQUIPPED TOOLHOLDER Filed April 19, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 lu u" 11mm I WW lly UH Inventor L/bfim/ PAM yV/m lama Attorneys Patented Jan. 10, 1950 OFFICE LIGHT EQUIPPED TOOLHOLDER John Paul Williams, Nashville, Tenn. Application April .19, 1946, Serial- No. 663,274

' The present invention relates to a novel and improved tool holder embodying a handle and a source of illumination incorporated in the handle, the latter being so constructed. and arranged to afford the user a source of artificial light, whereby to permit the light beams or rays to be focused or concentrated on the tool and the work.

The principal object of the invention, as is evident from the preceding introductory state ment, is to provide a tool holder and source of illumination combined such as makes it possible to hold the tool and cast a light on the tool and work and to thus obviate the necessity of operating the tool and holder with one hand and holding a light, such as a flashlight, with the other hand.

In carrying out the principles of the invention I employ two forms or styles of holders. One is in the form of an openwork cage having tool holding means at one end, the opposite end being so constructed as to permit an ordinary flashlight to be readily inserted and held in place and properly used in conjunction with the tool holder. The other embodiment of the invention has to do with an especially constructed tool holder characterized by a cylinder to accommodate a flashlight bulb and carrying flashlight batteries, there being a turnable knob at one end and this being of a screw type, whereby to permit same to function as a circuit make and break device.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent from the following description and the accompanying illustrative drawings.

In the drawings, wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the views:

Figure 1 is an elevational View of a flashlight equipped tool holder constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a central longitudinal view with certain of the parts appearing in elevation.

Figure 3 is a front end elevation of Figures 1 and 2, that is a view observing the left-hand end of said figures and showing the especially constructed tool holding head.

Figure 4 is an inside elevational view of the closure at the opposite end of the cylinder, this to bring out the particular construction thereof.

Figure 5 is an elevational view of the contact disc.

Figure 6 is an elevational view showing one type of tool used in the holder.

1 Claim. (Cl. 240-646) Figure '7 is an elevational view of another type. for example an L-shaped socket wrench. Figure 8 is a view like Figure, 2, that, is a View insection and elevation, showing a modified type, of holder, this being the aforementioned openwork cage. construction. I Figure 9 is a view of the cage, in section and elevation, with the pocket flashlight removed. Figure 10 is an end elevation of Figures 8 and 9, observing same in a direction from left to right.

Figure ll is an end elevation of the opposite end, observing the structure in a direction from right'toleft with the screw-cap removed, and

Figure 12 is an elevational view of the screwcap. r I Referring now to the form or embodiment. of

the invention shown in Figures lto. 5 inclusive;-

it will. be seen that the combination tool holder and handle is denoted, as a. unit, by the numeral Hi. This comprises an all metal one-piece body characterized primarily by a cylinder I5. At the left-hand end I6 the cylinder is constructed with a triangular centrally arranged socket l1 surrounded by segmental apertures or openings l8 forming passages for the light rays. This end of the holder is therefore an apertured and socketed head and serves to accommodate the various tools used. In the drawings I have shown one type of tool at H! in Figure 6, and another type at 20 in Figure 7. In practice, the shank of the tool is fitted telescopically and removably into the socket I1, as is obvious. On the interior, as seen in Figure 2, there is a socket equipped reflector 2| removably abutting the co-acting shoulder 22. The flashlight bulb is indicated at 23 and the dry cell batteries are indicated at 24 and 25. These are conventional batteries. The right-hand end of the cylinder is internally screw-threaded as at 26 to accommodate the screw-threaded neck 21 of the turnable closure 28. This part 28 is an insulation material and is provided on its interior with a metal electricity conducting disc 29. The latter is provided with outstanding diametrically opposite lugs 30 and these extend through diametrically opposite slots 3| formed in the screw-threaded neck 21. The disc 29 is held in place by a suitable fastener 32 and a coiled spring 33 is interposed between the disc and adjacent battery 25. By turning the closure 28 and screwing same into the barrel or cylinder said contact lugs 30 come into electrical contact with the cylinder, thus making the desired electrical circuit and illuminating the bulb 23. It follows that the closure means just de- I utilize a regulation or standard flashlight 3 4;

having a switch button 35. The handle in this in stance is in the form of an openwork cage36r Actually, the cage comprises a head 31 of cylindrical form, said head having a central tool socket V 38 and light passages 39. The head carries a plurality of longitudinally extending circumferentially spaced fingers or limbs 40 and these have their right-hand ends provided with screwthreaded portions 4| to accommodate the screw threads on the rim of the closing cap 42.

It will be seen therefore, that the form of the invention just described is more on the nature of an adapter and handle and tool holder. combined in that it serves to adapt itself to accommodate an ordinary flashlight. The form of the invention first described is in effect, a combination flashlight and tool holder. It is evident however, that both forms of the invention possess generic features of construction and the claim is presented accordingly. 7

A careful consideration of the foregoing de scription in conjunction with the invention as illustrated in the drawings will enable the reader to obtain a clear understanding and impression of the alleged features of merit and novelty sufflcient to clarify the construction of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

Minor changes in shape, size, materials and rearrangement of parts may be resorted to in actual practice so long as no departure is made from the invention as claimed.

What I claim as my invention is:

In a structure of the class described, an elongated cylindrical casing which is substantially solid at one end, the latter end having a central tool socket and provided on opposite sides of said, tool socket with apertures affording com- .sages for light rays, the opposite end of said casing being internally screw-threaded, a closing cap of insulation material including a screw-threaded neck threaded into said casing, said neck having diametrically opposite notches, a metallic disk fastened to said cap on the inner side of the cap and having. diametrically opposite lugs extending through and beyond the notches and adapted to come into contact with the adjacent end of the casing when said cap is screwed into the casing to a predetermined point. 7

JOHN PAUL WILLIAMSL REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in th 

